2011 10 August Communicator by Wayzata Public Schools

October 2011

Communicator Survey provides community insights of district

s part of its interest in gauging community attitudes and perceptions of the district, the school board and administration of Wayzata Public Schools regularly conduct a survey of community residents. The latest survey was completed in April 2011 by Decision Resources, Ltd., a national polling firm based in Minneapolis. The firm has conducted numerous surveys for the district in the past several years. Respondents were asked to rate the job performance of the school board, superintendent/district office administration, building principals and teachers and instructional staff. The results for each group are included below: • School board — 67 percent positive and nine percent negative • Superintendent/district office administration — 68 percent positive and five percent negative • Building principals — 73 percent

positive and two percent negative • Teachers and instructional staff — 89 percent positive and three percent negative The chart at the right shows the ratings for each of the four groups and the ratings from the 2005 and 2008 surveys. The survey also included several questions that were asked of parents with students currently in district schools. Parents were asked if they felt that their children are taught by teachers who care about them. Eighty-eight percent said yes, zero percent said no, and five percent said sometimes. In response to the question about whether parents believe their children’s teachers are highly trained and effective, 82 percent said yes, five percent said no and nine percent said sometimes. Parents were also asked whether they thought their children’s teachers monitor their progress adequately. Eighty-percent responded yes, one percent responded no and 12 percent responded sometimes. On the question of whether teachers meet the individual learning needs of their children, 75 percent responded yes,

two percent respond no and 15 percent responded sometimes. Finally, parents were asked whether they believe there is adequate communication about their children’s academic progress between the parents and teachers. Seventy-nine percent responded yes, five percent responded no and nine percent

School board approves preliminary tax levy

he School Board of Wayzata Public Schools approved the preliminary tax levy for taxes payable in 2012 at its September 26 special meeting.

The total preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2012 is $47,468,621. This total levy amount represents an overall increase of $1.5 million or 3.27 percent from the previous year and incorporates an intentional reduction of $860,873 of levy authority that the district administration chose to defer to future years. The change in the levy is attributed to growth in the district’s resident student enrollment. Voter approved operating referendum authority is calculated based upon the number of resident students multiplied by the per pupil authority. In recent years, enrollment growth translated directly into an increase in the total operating referendum authority component of the district’s property tax levy. The district’s preliminary levy amount not only includes referendum authority for the 2012-13 school year, but levy adjustments for increases in final 2009-10 resident enrollment as well as increases in revised 2011-12 resident student enrollment. Because of this, the change in the district’s general fund from the previous year is an

increase of 3.8 percent. Notable changes for taxes payable in 2012 include the state’s change to the Homestead Market Value Credit, which the state paid to reduce qualifying homeowners’ taxes. This is being replaced with the Homestead Market Value Exclusion, which reduces the taxable value of qualifying homesteads. Despite the decreased taxable value, taxes will likely remain similar or increase slightly from last year on most properties including apartments and businesses and is independent of any action taken by the district or other local governments. These recent legislative changes on how local property taxes are allocated will make it difficult to quantify a direct correlation between the district’s property tax levy and the amount of taxes that an individual property owner will pay. Affected homeowners with household incomes below $100,780 or whose property taxes increase by more than 12 percent or $100 (whichever is greater) may apply for the state’s property tax refund and, if qualified, will get some of the increase refunded. The form to apply for the state’s property tax refund is the M1PR, available at http://taxes.state.mn.us/pages/current forms.aspx. If you have any questions about the preliminary tax levy, contact Jim Westrum, executive director of finance and business, at Jim.Westrum@wayzata.k12.mn.us, or 763-745-5023.

responded sometimes. Additional results from the survey will be included in the January Communicator. (NOTE: This is the third in a series of stories about the community survey conducted for the district in April 2011. More information will be included in future editions of the Communicator.)

WPS earns 27th consecutive financial reporting award

or the 27th consecutive year, Wayzata Public Schools has won the Association for School Business Officials International’s Certificate of Excellene in Financial Reporting.

This is for excellence in the preparation and issuance of the fiscal year end 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Program was designed by ASBO International to encourage school business officials to achieve a high standard of financial reporting. The award, the highest recognition for school district financial operations offered by ASBO, is only conferred to school systems that have met or exceeded the standards of the program. Wayzata Public Schools’ financial report validated the credibility of the school system’s operations, measured the integrity and technical competence of the business staff and assisted in strengthening the district’s presentations for bond issuance statements and provided professional recognition. Jim Westrum, Wayzata Public Schools executive director of finance and business said, “This is another example of Wayzata Public School’s commitment to high standards and to the residents of the district. We are very pleased with having received recognition as a fiscally responsible school district for the last quarter century.” To see a copy of the 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, visit the district’s website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us on the Budget and Finance page.

District expands use of ‘clickers’ in classrooms

Above, students at Central Middle School use the Student Response Devices (SRD) to answer a quiz in class.

ould you imagine a district where all learners are actively engaged and participating in classroom assignments and discussions? What if data, feedback and learning were immediate and both the instructor and the learner could adjust as a result of that data? These things are happening in Wayzata classrooms with the use of “clickers” or Student Response Devices (SRDs). These devices have been used in the district for the past two years and the use is now being expanded for

all students in grades three-12. At the start of the 2011-2012 school year, a “clicker” was given to all students in these grades. Students in elementary grades will have an assigned device that will be stored in the classroom. Students in middle and high school will be responsible for their own device and can carry it to all of their classes. If a device is lost or damaged, a $38 fee will be charged to the student to replace the device. The use of the “clickers” has already had a tremendous

impact in classrooms where students have used the devices. With the devices, students are more engaged in classroom activities and teachers can collect up-to-the minute information on whether students understand what has been taught. If you have questions about the district’s use of these devices, contact Wade Phillips, director of technology, 763-745-5101 or Wade.Phillips@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

School board election set for Tuesday, November 8

even candidates have filed for four open seats with a four-year term on the school board of Wayzata Public Schools. The school board election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The four seats up for election are currently held by Linda Cohen, Pat Gleason, Jay Hesby and Carter Peterson. A candidate for the school board must meet the following requirements: • Be 21 years of age at the time the term of office begins • Have resided in the school district for 30 days prior to the election • Be an eligible voter, which includes the requirement that the individual be a citizen of the United States

To vote in the school board election, an individual must meet the following requirements: • Be 18 or more years of age • Be a citizen of the United States • Be a resident of the school district • Maintain residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election More in-depth information on each of the candidates is available on the district’s website. Use the QR code at the right on your smart phone to see candidate information on the district’s website, or log onto www. wayzata.k12.mn.us and click on the lower left alert box for district election information.

Gregory D. Baufield

Linda Cohen

Joan Curtiss

Jay Hesby

Carter Peterson

Cheryl Polzin

Nick Roehl

Baufield@comcast.net 4600 Shenandoah Lane Plymouth MN 55446 763-553-9577

2402 Oakland Road Minnetonka MN 55305 952-544-1817 www.re-electlindacohen.com

vote@joancurtiss.com 1497 Summer Oaks Drive Wayzata, MN 55391 Home: 952-745-0061 Cell: 952-221-0208 www.joancurtiss.com Facebook and Linkedin: Joan Curtiss

jayhesby@comcast.net 4745 Queensland Lane N. Plymouth MN 55446 763-478-8018 Facebook

cgp@bitstream.net 250 Peavey Lane Wayzata MN 55391 952-476-1395 www.carterpeterson forschoolboard.com

cpolzin4schoolboard@ hotmail.com 18605 29th Avenue N Plymouth MN 55447 763-473-3949 www.votepolzin.com

n.roehl@rocketmail.com 415 Quantico Lane N Plymouth MN 55447 612-599-7331 www.votenickroehl.com

3 26 WHS National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists named

wenty-six students from Wayzata High School’s class of 2012 have been named National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists. This year’s semi-finalists are Aneesha Ahluwalia, Ishmam Ahmed, Alex Bahls, Philip Cerles, Evan Chen, Mitchel Croal, Connie Dong, Cosette Haugen, Oliver He, Duligur Ibeling, Timothy Isdahl, Naveen Jain, Xun “Sunny” Liu, Peter Lorbiecki, Samantha Meyer, Rachel Mohr, Ivan Poteryakhin, Caroline Qian, Derek Schindelman, Sahiba Singh, Rishi Sinha, Alexander Spencer, Lesley Sun, Frederick Sutton, Amy Wu and Jeff Zhang. Students qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. These students will continue in the National Merit program and will be candidates to receive a scholarship from the

Pictured from left to right in the front row are: Connie Dong, Lesley Sun, Aneesha Ahluwalia, Samantha Meyer, Cosette Haugen, Xun “Sunny” Liu, Naveen Jain, Oliver He, Derek Schindelman, Rishi Sinha, Caroline Qian; back row, Peter Lorbiecki, Mitchel Croal, Amy Wu, Rachel Mohr, Duligur Ibeling, Jeff Zhang, WHS Principal Mike Trewick, Ivan Poteryakhin, Ishmam Ahmed, Alex Bahls, Evan Chen, Alexander Spencer, Frederick Sutton and Timothy Isdahl. Not pictured are Sahiba Singh and Philip Cerles. program. The scholarships will be announced Semi-finalists over the past several years: Scholarship Semi-finalists next spring. • Class of 2011 = 35 National Merit • Class of 2009 = 15 National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists Wayzata High School has consistently had Scholarship Semi-finalists a high number of National Merit Scholarship • Class of 2010 = 23 National Merit

Three WHS students earn perfect scores on ACT

Rachel Mohr

Jeff Zhang

achel Mohr, Ivan Poteryakhin and Jeff Zhang, seniors at Wayzata High School, earned a perfect score of 36 on the 2011 ACT exam. Mohr said she took the ACT class to prepare for the exam and took a couple practice tests. She said her course work in school also prepared her for the exam. During her time at WHS, Mohr has performed viola in orchestra and pit orchestra for the fall musical, run on the cross country and track teams and participated in Knowledge Masters Open and the creative writing club. She is interested in attending a liberal arts college and is looking at Gustavus Adolphus, Carleton and Grinnel in her top three. She is interested in pursuing a chemistry or English linguistics degree. Poteryakhin said he studied the grammar and usage portion of the test by using a study book on the ACT exam. He said his normal course work prepared Ivan Poteryakhin him for the exam, which he took twice. The first time he earned a 35, which led him to believe he could earn a perfect score if he tried the exam again. During his time at WHS, Poteryakhin has been involved with Science Olympiad, math team, Science Bowl and National Honors Society. He is currently enrolled in the district’s Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO) at the University of Minnesota where he will be studying organic chemistry, economics, math and computer science. He is interested in pursuing a degree in computer science or chemistry and his top three choices for college include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and California Institute of Technology. Zhang used a practice test to prepare for the exam and relied on his knowledge from his coursework at WHS. He said he borrowed books on the ACT exam from friends to take the practice test and familiarize himself with the types of questions asked. He said the best preparation for the exam was his daily class schedule. “The Wayzata Advanced Placement and Honors curriculum does a good job preparing students for the exam,” he said. During his time at WHS, Zhang has been involved with Science Olympiad, math team and National Honors Society. He also performs classical music on the piano and volunteers at several retirement homes. Zhang is also enrolled in PSEO at the University of Minnesota where he will study piano performance, micro economics, multi-variable calculus and music. He has plans to pursue a major in neuroscience or neuro-economics and his top three choices for college include Harvard University, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Duligur Ibeling

WHS student places well at ninth annual International Olympiad of Linguistics

uligur Ibeling, a senior at Wayzata High School, contributed to the success of his U.S. team and earned indivual awards at this summer’s ninth International Olympiad of Linguistics held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Ibeling was a member of the USA Red team, and received a silver medal along with three other U.S. participants. His team also took home two additional awards, a gold medal for the best performance on the team portion of the competition and a cup for the team with the highest combined score on the individual portion of the competition. The event featured 102 high school students from around the world competing independently with problems about Faroese orthography, Menominee morphology, Vai syntax, Nahuatl semantics, and the structure of the barcode language EAN-13, while in the team round, groups of up to four students worked out the metrical rules of Sanskrit poetry.

Board seeks input on draft of strategic road map

uring the 2010-2011 school year, the Wayzata Public Schools’ board, administrative team and principals began the process of developing a strategic road map for the district. The road map includes strategic directions, vision, mission and core values, which will serve as a guide for the district’s future work. The strategic road map will replace the district’s previous vision, mission and strategic directions. The strategic road map includes the following components: • Mission – identifies the core purpose of the district • Vision – identifies what the district intends to create and experience • Core values – identifies the drivers of the district’s words and actions • Strategic directions – identifies the focused allocation of resources The implementation of the strategic road map will also include the use of “Vision

Cards,” which are a modified version of what are often referred to as “balanced scorecards.” The “Vision Cards” will be used to identify the measures and metrics to assess the district’s progress toward achieving its vision. With the work completed on a draft of the district’s one-page strategic road map, the board is seeking input on the draft from staff members, parents and community members. There are two ways to share your input on the draft through the district’s website. Follow the steps below to share your input: • Go to the district’s website at www. wayzata.k12.mn.us, go to “About Us” on the front page and click on “Strategic Direction” • Once on the “Strategic Direction” page, you can read the draft of the strategic road map • You can also choose one of two options for sharing your comments: — Click on “Survey” to share your input

on the draft; the input submitted through the survey option will be delivered to the district and will not be seen by any other member of the public — Click on “Public Forum” to share your input on the draft, to comment on the input posted by others and to allow others to comment on your input; sharing input through the “Public Forum” option requires posting your name with your comments. The comments posted on the “Public Forum” section will also be delivered to the district. If you want to share your input and choose not to use one of the online feedback options, you can send your comments to a special district email address at strategicroadmap@isd284.com. Input through the online options and email will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, October 16. A copy of the draft strategic road map is included below. The school board is also exploring options to conduct a community forum as

another way to solicit feedback. A date for the forum has not yet been finalized, but information will be posted on the district’s website when the forum is scheduled. A summary of the staff, parent and community input will be prepared and presented to the school board for its review. The board and administration will use the input to make adjustments to the draft of the strategic road map, and prepare a final version of the road map for the board to approve in December. If you have any questions about the input process for the strategic road map, contact Bob Noyed, director of communication, robert.noyed@wayzata. k12.mn.us or 763-745-5068. Scan the QR code to the right with a smart phone to find the Strategic Road Map on the district’s website.

5 Family Service Night planned at Oakwood Elementary

akwood Elementary’s third annual Family Service Night will be held on Friday, December 2, from 6-8 p.m. Oakwood Principal Dennis Grasmick believes Family Service Night provides an extraordinary way for the school community to demonstrate kindness in action, and teaches children that everyone can contribute. This year, Oakwood is putting the emphasis on time: no matter what time it is, no matter how much time you have, it’s always the right time to help your neighbor. The evening will be spent helping the school’s new neighbor, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), which recently moved into a new headquarters across the street. During Family Service night, more than a dozen “workstations” will be set up at the school and onsite at IOCP, each one designed to show parents easy activities that can be replicated at home at any time throughout the year. Most workstation activities will benefit IOCP clients, including filling rice bags for foodshelf recipients, sewing reusable shopping bags, and making fleece hats and scarves. While the sheer volume of work done at Oakwood Family Service Night is astonishing and meaningful, it is the hope of the event’s planners that families use it as a springboard for their own ongoing involvement in the community. Oakwood is also expanding its Family Service Night to include an overnight “sleep-out” that highlights the goal of IOCP in bringing hope to the more than 1,500 area families living in poverty this winter. On the morning of December 3, the entire community is invited join Oakwood for a pancake breakfast at the school. Profits from this breakfast will benefit IOCP’s “The Sleep Out.” Each of the previous two events brought more than 400 Oakwood students and parents to the school. One very special guest in attendance this year is Cricket, the Helping Paws’ helping-dog-in-training that Oakwood students

Last year’s Family Service Night at Oakwood Elementary brought students, staff and community members together to complete service projects for those in need both locally and around the world. are supporting through “lemonade stand” proceeds and student council efforts during the 2010-11 school year. Oakwood Family Service Night, sponsored by Wayzata Community in Action (CIA), is one exciting example of the amazing good that children are capable of doing! Oakwood and Wayzata CIA welcome support from

the community. For more information, contact Tammy Orning at 763-404-9131 or by email at russtammy@ comcast.net; or Leigh Engdahl at 763-439-7769 or by email at leigh.engdahl@gmail.com. For donations or other support, contact Caitlin Mack at caitlin@emack.net.

2011 Homecoming Royalty

Seniors Michael Zweber and Amanda Kordovsky were chosen as the 2011 Wayzata High School Homecoming King and Queen at the coronation ceremony held the evening of September 26. Top right, Kordovsky receives the crown as it is announced she is the 2011 queen. Lower right, Ellie Schumacher, age five, is the 2011 WHS Homecoming princess.

6 WPS students score well Minnesota Department of Education assessments

ayzata Public Schools students continue to score well on the Minnesota Department of Education state mandated assessments. Results from the 2011 assessments show that approximately 76.85 percent of Wayzata students are proficient in math and 89.96 percent are proficient in reading. This year’s math results represent a decline in overall proficiency compared to last year. However, students in grades 3-8 took a new, more rigorous math assessment that was aligned to higher standards designed to prepare all students to be college ready. The math data from the 2011 MCA-III exam should be considered baseline data when comparing grades three through eight to previous years. On the state assessments, each student

earns a score that falls in one of four achievement levels: • Does not meet the standards • Partially meets the standards • Meets the standards • Exceeds the standards. Students who meet or exceed the standards on the assessments are considered to be proficient in the subject area. Sometime early this school year, Wayzata Public Schools will be sending assessment reports to parents explaining their child’s individual results. This report gives parents information on their child’s reading and mathematics skills and shows their child’s performance compared to other students taking the same assessment. School and district officials also use the information to improve classroom teaching and learning.

Polling locations for Wayzata Public Schools election M

WPS Annual Report available Wayzata Public Schools 2011-12 Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement is available on the district’s website at www.wayzata.k12. mn.us. The report will be amended once the Minnesota Department of Education has released final AYP results to the district. The amended copy will include building site goals and will be updated online. All state mandated test results displayed reflect all assessments administered (including MTAS and MCA Modified) to all students enrolled in the district on October 1 of the corresponding school year. Scan the QR code below on your smart phone to view the annual report online.

Wayzata Public Schools #284 - Combined Polling Places

CORCORAN RD

ELM Pike Lake

N LN

DUNKIRK

VICKSBURG

4 PEONY

ROC K FO RD

MO U T H PLY

OLD

K EE

LN VICKSBURG

S H A WA Y

SHOR E

MIN NE H A AH

Shavers Lake

Libbs Lake

Lake Marion

MINNETONKA

Robinsons Bay

101

Lake Windsor

CROSS

494

GIN

WOODLAND

MINNETONKA HOPKINS

CROSBY

16 Wayzata Bay

Crane Lake

394 K

Grays Bay

Polling Place Boundary

ESSEX

101

Peavy Lake

Lake Minnetonka

OAKLAND RD

E ST

FERNDA L E RD W

N SU

LAK

Y WA

CARLS O

101

D LA N

WAYZATA

E ST E

RICE

VICKSBURG

COUNTY

BLVD

101

XENIUM

FERNBROOK

LN VICKSBURG

N LN DUNKIRK

BROCKTON LN RD

Bay

School District Boundary

LAKE

S DR N

French Lake

Smiths Bay

XENIUM LN N

DUNKIRK

Gleason Lake

TO RD WN

ELINE

SHOR

FERNDALE

14800 34TH AVE. N. PLYMOUTH

ZAT

BARRY AVE S

LONG LAKE C RE E

Hidden Lake

PLYMOUTH

12 WAY

MEDICINE LAKE

PLYMOUTH CREEK CENTER

*NOTE- CITY OF MINNETONKA DISTRICT 284 RESIDENTS F ERNDA L WILL VOTE IN CONJUCTION WITH THE CITY ELECTIONS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS SITES Tanager Lake ( PRECINCTS 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B AND 3C ) Browns

Hadley Lake

POLLING PLACE #3

Parkers Lake

GLEASON

Includes: City of Maple Grove Precinct 22 and 23 City of Plymouth Precincts 2, 4 and 6

POLLING PLACE #1

E LAK

ORONO

4955 PEONY LN. PLYMOUTH

LEGEND

494

A UL NS NI RD

Long Lake

Medicine Lake CREEK

WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL

E ICIN

LONG LAKE

Crystal Bay

PLYMOUTH

ME D

13501 SUNSET TRL. PLYMOUTH

Includes: City of Corcoran Precinct 2 12 City of Maple Grove Precinct 21 City of Medina Precinct 1B City of Plymouth Precinct 1, 3, 5 and 7

101

Lydiard Lake

AVE

Mooney Lake

Includes: City of Medicine Lake City of Plymouth Precincts 15, 16, 18 and 19 1

25TH

Kreatz Lake

CHRIST MEM. LUTHERAN CHURCH Dickeys Lake

AVE N 34TH

POLLING PLACE #2

Includes: City of Plymouth Precincts 8, 9, 10 and 11

MEDINA

Wolsfeld Lake

3300 DUNKIRK LN N. PLYMOUTH

PLYMOUTH FIRE STATION #3

9 Lost Lake

Thies Lake

Includes: City of Orono Precinct 4 City of Plymouth Precincts 12, 13 and 14 City of Wayzata

RD FO CK

Holy Name Lake

BLVD

600 RICE ST. WAYZATA

T HWES

WAYZATA CITY HALL

ROCKFORD

NORT

DIN

Schmidt Lake

44TH AVE N

BLV

POLLING PLACES

16th annual parenting forum planned

Curtis Lake

Turtle Lake

PLYMOUTH

U TH YMO PL

MEDINA

AVE

NIAGARA LN

L TR RD

45TH

494

PLYMOUTH

LAKE

BASS

Bass Lake

POLLING PLACE #4

POLLING PLACE #5

54TH AVE N

101

Mud Lake

Pomerleau Lake

101

TROY

RANIER LN N

56TH AVE N

School Lake

A free workshop for parents of children with behavioral and mental health needs is planned Tuesday, October 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Middle School in the media center. Wayzata Public Schools is using SW-PBIS as a model of behavioral support in some of its schools. This workshop will discuss the concepts of the WS-PBIS model and the role parents and family members can take in implementing positive behavior interventions at home. Topics will include: • The concept of SW-PBIS • How some Wayzata schools use SWPBIS • How parents can be involved with PBIS at school • Tips for parents to use PBIS at home This workshop is offered in collaboration with Wayzata Public Schools and is funded through the Minnesota Department of Education. To register call 952838-9000. Visit the website www. MinnesotaStatewideFamilyNetwork.org for more information.

Eagle Lake

NE HAMEL

Free workshop planned October 25

PI O

PINTO

MEDINA

LN BROCKTON

116

Wayzata Public Schools’ 16th annual parenting forum, “Parenting Those Wonderful Kids,” has been planned for Saturday, February 4, 2011, at 8:15 a.m. at Central Middle School. This year’s forum will feature keynote speaker Molly Snuggerud, registered nurse and public health nurse. She is also the program director for West Suburban Teen Clinic. She will present “Parenting in the 21st Century.” Parents can choose from more than 20 workshop offerings on all aspects of O parenting plus visit the Marketplace to learn more about family-friendly opportunities and resources in our community. The forum is free and open to the public. Childcare is available for a nominal cost. For more information, visit the district’s community education website at www. wayzata.k12.mn.us/ces and click on the parenting forum link.

Eagle Lake

64T H ELM

Medina Lake

Edward Lake

MAPLE GROVE

NIA G LN ARA N

ELM

NORTH

494

BA SS

VICKSBURG

Lake Rainer

HACKAMORE

Cedar Island Lake

101

ARROWHEAD

In Brief

W I L L OW D R

N EHAH

A CRE EK

Revised September, 2009 L

Residents of the following precincts will vote at polling place #1, Wayzata City Hall, 600 Rice Street, Wayzata MN 55391: • City of Orono Precinct 4 • City of Plymouth Precinct 12 • City of Plymouth Precinct 13 • City of Plymouth Precinct 14 • City of Wayzata Residents of the following precincts will vote at polling place #2, Plymouth Fire Station No. 3, 3300 Dunkirk Lane North, Plymouth MN 55447: • City of Plymouth Precinct 8 • City of Plymouth Precinct 9 • City of Plymouth Precinct 10 • City of Plymouth Precinct 11 Residents of the following precincts will vote at polling place #3, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 13501 Sunset Trail, Plymouth MN 55441: • City of Medicine Lake • City of Plymouth Precinct 15 • City of Plymouth Precinct 16 • City of Plymouth Precinct 18 • City of Plymouth Precinct 19

Residents of the following precincts will vote at polling place #4, Wayzata High School, 4955 Peony Lane, Plymouth MN 55446: • City of Corcoran Precinct 2 • City of Maple Grove Precinct 21 • City of Medina Precinct 1B • City of Plymouth Precinct 1 • City of Plymouth Precinct 3 • City of Plymouth Precinct 5 • City of Plymouth Precinct 7 Residents of the following precincts will vote at polling place #5, Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Avenue North, Plymouth MN 55447: • City of Maple Grove Precinct 22 • City of Maple Grove Precinct 23 • City of Plymouth Precinct 2 • City of Plymouth Precinct 4 • City of Plymouth Precinct 6 City of Minnetonka: For Wayzata Public Schools’ residents residing in the City of Minnetonka, the school district general election will be held in conjunction with the municipal election in that city and voters will vote at their regular city polling places. (Precincts: 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 3C)

A sunny first day at Birchview Elementary

WHS sports schedules are online

he most current schedules for all Wayzata High School athletic teams are available online. For current and up-to-date athletic schedules and directions, visit the Lake Conference website, www. lakeconference.org and click on “Wayzata High School” and pick the schedule you are interested in. Directions to athletic venues can also be found on the site. You can also go to www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/whs/ and click on “Athletics and Activities” in the menu bar.

Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Wayzata, MN Permit 43

Ashly Crittenden, a fifth grade student at Birchview Elementary School, arrived at school early on the first day to gather at the front entrance with her friends to meet their new principal Jason Wenschlag. Wenschlag welcomed all of his new students into the building and spent time greeting parents.

The Communicator is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Bob Noyed, director of communication, at 763-745-5068 or robert.noyed@wayzata.k12.mn.us with questions or comments.

Communicator

Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060

October 2011

Volunteers sought for Gifted & Talented Steering Committee

he Wayzata Public Schools is creating a Gifted and Talented Steering Committee for the purpose of assisting the district in refining the educational programming for gifted and talented students in the district. The steering committee will meet once a month on dates yet to be determined at Central Middle School and will work under the direction of Academic Excellence Director Gabe Lofton. Candidates for the committee should reside in Wayzata

Public Schools, possess an interest in education with an emphasis on high potential learners and a desire to further the success of the students and families served by Wayzata Public Schools. If you are interested in applying, please submit your application by October 15, 2011. If you have questions regarding this committee or the application process, please contact Rosemarie Valencour at 763-745-5093 or at Rosemarie. Valencour@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

Volunteers needed for CONECT Homework Club

nterfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) is looking for adults and teens (16 and older) to provide homework help and academic support to elementary-aged youth living in the organization’s CONECT communities.

A commitment of approximately 2 hours per week, September through May is required. Contact Liz Erstad-Hicks for more information at lerstad-hicks@icop.org or at 763-489-7506.

Literacy Volunteers needed to help students practice reading

Employees of the Month One employee has been recognized as an Employee of the Month since the previous edition of the Communicator. She is: •September 2011 — Michelle Reinke, teacher at Central Middle School

ayzata Public Schools is in need of volunteers for the district’s Literacy Volunteer Program which pairs adults with third through fifth grade students that are struggling readers. Students read to the volunteers using a curriculum that is focused around award-winning children’s literature.

Volunteer options include once or twice a week or every other week for a half hour at a time. Training is provided by the district’s language arts resource teacher and there is room to work around individual schedules. For more information, contact Charlene Barghini at 763-745-5208 or by email at Charlene.barghini@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

Young Scientist Roundtable planned November 1

Young Scientist Roundtable will be held November 1, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Central Middle School. Dr. Mark Fallen, a urologist with Urologic Physicians in Edina, will present “Science and Medical Therapy: How Basic Principals Lead to Amazing Innovations.”

Following the presentation at 8:10 p.m., a Teen Roundtable will be held where students will have the opportunity to ask in-depth questions. The Young Scientist Roundtable is free for students in grades K - 12 and their families and no registration is required.